Tape dispenser



Oct. 29, 1963 E. WALTZ TAPE DISPENSER Filed Jan. 27, 1961 Rm w ML E mm m 0 m R T A r A M E W United States Patent "ice 3,198,923 TAPE DTSPENSER Edward Waltz, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to E. 0. Badman Manufacturing (10., fun, Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed fan. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 85,414.- Claims. (Cl. 156-510) This invention relates to a tape dispenser and more particularly to a tape dispenser which is utilized to put tape around the corner of a carton.

Dispensers of various types have been devised and manufactured. However, there has always been a need for an economical tape dispenser by which the tape can be stuck around a corner, such as the corner of a box or other container. This has been accomplished by complicated apparatus which consists of rollers, levers and springs, all of which work satisfactorily but are expensive.

The present invention accomplishes the function of taping a corner by a very simple structure. This invention utilizes a conventional roll tape support structure to which is fixed a platform. The tape is guided over the platform with the sticky side up. The carton is placed on the platform and engages the tape which sticks thereto. A cutter bar is positioned at the end of the platform as is a wiper member. The carton is drawn out over a guard which protects it from the cutter bar, and down over the wiper member. As the tape is drawn down, it engages the cutter bar which severs the end of the tape. The wiper member forces the tape around the corner of the carton and against the adjacent side. The wiper member is of a one piece resilient construction forming a very simple and effective means of wrapping the tape around the corner of the carton.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a tape dispenser for sticking tape around the corner of a carton which consists of a minimum number of component parts and is therefore economical to construct, providing a competitive article of manufacture.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tape dispenser which has a one piece resilient wiper member for sticking tape around the corner of a carton.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispenser, showing the progressive steps of a carton being taped;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the section lines IIIIII of FIG. 1 with the tape and spool removed.

Basically, this invention is concerned with a tape dispenser which is utilized for sticking tape around the corner of a carton. The dispenser has a base which is adapted to be fixed to a stationary structure such as a table top. Spaced upright standards are fixed to the base. The standards support a roll of tape which is rotatably mounted thereon. A platform is fixed to the standards and projects therefrom. Rollers are positioned above the tape and adjacent the connection of the platform with the standards. The tape is guided by the rollers to a position over the platform. A cutter bar is connected to the end of the platform remote from the standards. Guard elements protect a carton, which may be placed on the platform, from the cutter bar. A wiper member is also connected to the end of the platform remote from the standards and is positioned below and extends outwardly from the cutter bar. The wiper member has an upstanding resilient wiping finger formed at its outward end and is sufficiently resilient to be readily deflected by a package, yet to hold its wiping finger in 3,108,923 Patented Oct. 29, 1963 contact with the package throughout its motion. A backstop may be provided to engage the wiper member when it reaches a nearly vertical position to cause the wiping finger to apply added pressure to the tape on the side of the package. The tape is threaded through the guide means and positioned over the platform such that the sticky side is up. A carton placed on the platform engages the tape which firmly adheres to the carton bottom under the weight of the carton. The carton is then drawn over the guard elements and across the wiper members. As the carton is moved, the tape is drawn from the spool and follows the path of the carton. As the carton moves downwardly over the wiper member, the tape is severed by the cutter bar, and the wiper member wipes the tape around the corner of the carton, the wiper member eventually cooperating with the backstop to firmly adhere the tape to the side of the carton.

The dispenser assembly 16 includes a dispenser frame 15, guide mechanism 36, a platform 40, a cutter bar 45, a wiper member 50, a backstop 55, and spool and tape 68 and 65, respectively.

Referring specifically to the details of the invention, FIG. 1 best shows the frame 15.

The frame 15 includes a base 16. The base 16 is a rectangular shaped plate-like member having a raised central portion. The base 16 has apertures 17 which are utilized to secure the base to a stationary object, such as a table top.

A standard 13, having a transversely disposed flange 19, is fixed to the base 16 by means such as weldment. The flange 19 is connected directly to the base 16 and the standard projects upwardly therefrom assuming an upright position. A part of the uppermost portion of the standard 13 is cut away to form a projection 21 which supports one end of the guidance mechanism, to be explained more fully hereinafter. One side of the standard is provided with spaced spool slots 2%) to receive one end of a spool shaft.

Another standard 24, which is the mirror image of the standard 18, isfixed to the other side of the base 16. The standard 24 has a flange 25 which is fixed directly to the base 16. A projection 27 is formed at the other end of the standard. Spool slots 26 are formed in one side of the standard and are aligned with the spool slots 26 formed in the standard 18.

The standards 13 and 24- project from the base 16 at a slight angle to facilitate supporting the spool and unthreading the tape which is supported by the spool.

The flanges 19 and 25 of the standards may be provided with apertures 27 which also extend through the base 16 to receive additional fasteners for securely afiixing the frame to the support structure.

Guide mechanism 313 is carried by the projections 21 and 27 of the standards. The guide mechanism 30 includes a guide roller 32 which is rotatably mounted on a guide axle 31 which has the ends thereof fixed in the projections 21 and 27. A feed roller 36 is positioned adjacent the guide roller 32 and is rotatably journaled on a feed axle 35 which also has the ends thereof fixed into projections 21 and 27. The outer surface of the feed roller 36 is provided with knurling 37 to facilitate feeding of the tape and prevent adhesion of the tape to the roller. The guide 32 and feed roller 36 are in a horizontal, parallel alignment. The tape is entrained over the guide roller 32 and under the feed roller 36 for the purpose of straightening it.

A positioning roller 34 is rotatably mounted on the spindle 33 which has the end thereof fixed in the projections 21 and 2'7. The positioning roller 34 is in vertical, parallel alignment with the feed roller 36 and overlies the feed roller. The roller 34 is of sufficient diameter such that a portion thereof assumes a position outside the top and one side perimeter of the projections 21 and 27. The purpose for this is to prevent damage to a carton, and to aid in positioning the carton on the platform.

The platform 4i;- is a troughlike member and is affixed to the standards 18 and 24 in the inverted position. It is so dimensioned that the sides thereof slide between the upright standards 18 and 24. The sides are connected to the standards :by conventional fasteners, such as rivets 41. The bottom forms a platform surface, one end of which lies directly under the feed roller 36.

The platform surface is provided with a resilient pad 42 which covers the surface from the end of the platform remote from the standards to a position adjacent the feed roller 36. The pad 42 receives and supports the tape from the guide mechanism 36.

Fixed at the end of the platform 4%, remote from the standards, is a cutter bar 45. The cutter bar 45 has serrated teeth which project a'bove the surface of pad 42. It extends across the entire end of the platform 49.

Guard members 43 and 44 are positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the cutter bar 45. The guard members 43 and 44 have looplike ends which project above the teeth of the cutter bar. The purpose for this is to prevent the cutter bar from damaging car-tons which are placed on the pad 42.

The wiper member 50 and backstop 55 are also connected to the end of the platform 4h, remote from the standards 18 and 24. The wiper member 50 is a generally U-shaped member, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It has a body portion 52 formed integral with a mounting flange 51 and a wiper finger 53. It is constructed from a highly flexible material, such as rubber, plastic or highly resilient metal, which flexes easily enough to wipe along a carton drawn thereonto without deflecting it.

The backstop 55 has a body portion 57, formed integral with a mounting flange 56 and a shoulder 58. The shoulder 58 is bent in the reverse direction from the wiper finger 53, resulting in a flattened Z-shaped member. The backstop 55 is preferably constructed of a resilient material, suoh as spring steel. The backstop 55 is, however, substantially less flexible than the wiper member St} for purposes which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The mounting flange 51 is superimposed upon the mounting flange 56, both of which overlie the face of cutter bar 45, which is provided with apertures to receive fasteners for fixing the wiper member and backstop to the end of the platform 40.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wiper member 50 overlies the backstop 55 and forms an acute angle with respect thereto. The wiper finger 55 projects upwardly whereas shoulder 58 projects downwardly.

A conventional spool 6% has a spool shaft 61, the ends of which fit in the slots 2% and 26 formed in the standards 18 and 24 respectively. The spool 69 is thus rotatably mounted on the standards. The spool 66 carries a roll of one of the commonly sold tapes with adhesive applied to one side of the tape.

Operation Initially, the dispenser is fixed to a stationary structure, such as a table top, by passing fasteners through the apertures 17 and 27. The spool 61 is provided with a roll of tape 65 and the ends of spool shaft 61 placed in the slots and 26 formed in the standards. The slots 20 and 26 are placed at different heights to accommodate spools and tape of different sizes. The end of the tape 65 is entrained over the guide roller 32 and under the feed roller 36. The tape is drawn across the pad 42 until the end of the tape abuts the cutter bar 45. It is important to place the spool on the standards in a manner such that the sticky side of the tape is exposed as the tape lies on the pad 42.

A carton, such as 28 shown in FIG. 2, is placed on the positioning roller 34 and drawn forward until it drops onto the pad 42, or the carton may be placed directly on 4 the pad 42. The positioning roller 33 also protects the carton from the edges of projections 21 and 27.

Since the sticky side of the tape is exposed, the tape will stick to the carton. The resilient pad 42 absorbs the impact of the carton onto the platform 40 and forces the tape into engagement with the bottom of the carton.

The carton is then drawn forward to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 and downward over the guard elements 43;and 44. The guard elements 43 and 44 protect the bottom of the carton from the cutter bar 45. Since the tape is stuck to the carton, it will be drawn with the carton. The tape is also protected from the cutter bar 45 as the carton moves over the guard elements 43 and 44 because the carton lifts the tape away from the cutter bar.

After the carton has passed over the guard elements 43 and 44, it is moved downwardly into engagement with the wiper member 5t Continued downward'rnove-ment of the carton brings the tape into engagement with the cutter bar 45 and severs the tape. Continued downward movement of the carton causes the wiper member 50 to bend the tape around the corner of the carton. Eventually, as downward movement of the carton continues, the wiper member 59 engages the backstop 55, and the wiper finger 53, backed up by shoulder 53 of backstop 55, vigorously presses the free end of the tape against the side of the carton.

For light WOI'k, the backstop 55 may be omitted, the resiliency of wiper member 50 being then relied on alone for maintaining wiper finger 53 in sufficiently intimate engagement with the side of the carton to cause the tape to adhere thereto.

Since the tape is drawn over the pad 42 before the tape is severed, a new strip of tape is automatically properly positioned on the pad 42 to receive another carton.

From the above description of this invention, it can be seen that this dispenser effective places tape around the corner of a carton. The wiper member is of simple design, eliminating rollers, springs, and levers necessary in previous designs. The dispenser is therefore constructed of a minimum number of component parts, providing a highly competitive and efficient article of manufacture.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, it will be understood that modifications and improvements may be made thereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate the principles of this invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: a tape supply of adhesive tape; a platform; means for discharging tape from said supply onto said platform with the adhesive side up; so that tape discharged on said platform is adapted to adhere to the underside of an article placed on said platform, tape cutting means fixed to an end of said platform, guard means to maintain an article and the discharged tape spaced from said cutting means while the article is drawn over said cutting means but allowing said cutting means to cut the tape when the article has cleared said guard means, and resilient wiper means connected to said end of said platform for wiping the cut end of the tape onto the side of the article when the article is moved downwardly after clearing said guard means.

2. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: a tape supply of adhesive tape, a support structure, plat-form means fixed to said support structure, means for guiding tape from said supply over said platform with the adhesive side up, a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform, guard means for protecting an article to be taped from said cutter bar, and resilient wiper means fixed to the end of said platform so that by placing an article on said platform into engagement with the tape, the movement of the article over said guard means, cutter bar, and wiper means will draw the tape therewith and cause the tape to be severed and adhered around a corner of the article.

3. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: a base having spaced upright standards fixed thereto, a tape supply of adhesive tape rotatably supported by said standards, a platform supported by and projecting from said standards, a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform, guards fixed to the sides of said platform and projecting above said cutter bar to protect cartons therefrom, a resilient pad fixed to said platform, guide means carried by said standards for directing tape over said pad with the adhesive side up, a resilient wiper member connected to the end of the platform adjacent said cutter bar, said wiper member extending below and outwardly of said cutter bar, so that a carton placed on said platform pad engages said tape, and so that the movement of the carton over said guards and said wiper member draws said tape therewith and causes said cutter bar to sever the tape and said wiper member to wipe the cut end of the tape around a corner of the carton.

4. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: support means for rc-tatably supporting a roll of adhesive tape, platform means fixed to said support structure, means for guiding the tape over said platform with the adhesive side up, a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform, guard means for protecting a car-ton from said cutter bar, a resilient wiper member connected to the end of the platform adjacent said cutter bar, said wiper member extending below and outwardly of said cutter bar, and a backstop extending generally downwardly below said cutter bar and wiper member, a carton placed on said platform engaging the tape, so that movement of the carton over said guard means and downwardly over said wiper member until said wiper member contacts said backstop draws said tape with the carton and causes the tape to be severed and wiped around a corner of the carton.

5. An adhesive tape dispenser as in claim 4 wherein said wiper member is more flexible than said backstop but both are resilient, said backstop serving to substantially arrest flexing movement of said wiper member when said wiper member reaches a substantially vertical position.

6. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: support means for rotatably supporting a roll 'of adhesive tape, platform means fixed to said support structure, means for guiding said tape over the platform with the adhesive side up, a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform, guard means for protecting a carton from said cutter bar, and a resilient wiper member having mounting flanges connected to the end of said platform adjacent and below said cutter bar, said Wiper member being superimposed upon a less resilient backstop and having a body section disposed at an angle with respect thereto, said wiper member having an upturned wiper finger formed integral with said body portion, so that a carton placed on said platform engages the tape, and so that the movement of the carton over said guard means and said wiper member causes the tape to be severed and wiped around a corner of the carton, said wiping finger at the end of the flexing movement of said wiper member cooperating with said shoulder to apply pressure to the tape along the side of the carton.

7. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: storing means for storing a supply of adhesive tape; a tape support surface arranged to support tape supplied from said storing means in an adhesive side exposed fashion whereby tape is adhered to an article contacting the tape and pressed against said surface; a tape cutter means fixed at the end of said surface; a resilient wiper member extending at an angle from the plane of said surface oppositely from the tape; said wiper member having a resilient, flexible main body and an integral, resilient, flexible Wiper finger extending from the main body towards the plane of said surface.

8. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: storing means for storing a supply of adhesive tape; a tape support surface arranged to support tape supplied from said storing means in an adhesive side exposed fashion whereby tape is adhered to an article contacting the tape and pressed against said surface; a tape cutter means fixed at the end of said surface; a resilient wiper member extending at an angle from the plane of said surface oppositely from the tape; said wiper member having a resilient, flexible main body and an integral, resilient, flexible wiper finger extending from the main body towards the plane of said surface; and a back stop for stopping the flexing of the main body of said wiper member but permitting further fiexing of said wiper finger.

9. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: a base having spaced upright standards fixed thereto; adhesive tape supporting means on said standards to enable a roll of adhesive tape to be rotatably supported by said standards; a platform supported by and projecting from said standards; a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform, guide means carried by said standards for directing tape over said platform with the adhesive side up; a resilient wiper member connected to the end of the platform adjacent said cutter bar; said wiper member extending below and outwardly of said cutter bar, so that a carton placed on said platform engages the tape; and so that the movement of the carton over said platform and said wiper member draws the tape therewith and causes sa-id cutter bar to sever the tape and said wiper member to wipe the cut end of the tape around a corner of said carton.

10. An adhesive tape dispenser comprising: -a base; tape supporting means on said base to enable adhesive tape to be rotatably supported by said base; a platform supported by said base; a cutter bar fixed to the end of said platform; guards fixed to the sides of said platform and projecting above said cutter bar to protect cartons therefrom; guide means carried by said standards for directing tape over said platform adhesive side up; a resilient wiper member connected to the end of the platform adjacent said cutter bar; said wiper member extending below and outwardly of said cutter bar, so that a carton placed on said platform engages the tape, and so that the movement of the carton over said guards and said wiper member draws the tape therewith and causes said cutter bar to sever the tape and said wiper member to wipe the cut end of the tape around a corner of the carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,118,163 Tuttle Nov. 24', 1914 2,528,296 Baron et a1 Oct. 31, 1950 2,596,158 Lindsey May 13, 1952 2,927,710 Raber Mar. 8, 1960 3,000,159 tttfir' ti' f'fi f'" P 1961 

1. AN ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER COMPRISING: A TAPE SUPPLY OF ADHESIVE TAPE; A PLATFORM; MEANS FOR DISCHARGING TAPE FROM SAID SUPPLY ONTO SAID PLATFORM WITH THE ADHESIVE SIDE UP; SO THAT TAPE DISCHARGED ON SAID PLATFORM IS ADAPTED TO ADHERE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF AN ARTICLE PLACED ON SAID PLATFORM, TAPE CUTTING MEANS FIXED TO AN END OF SAID PLATFORM, GUARD MEANS TO MAINTAIN AN ARTICLE AND THE DISCHARGED TAPE SPACED FROM SAID CUTTING MEANS WHILE THE ARTICLE IS DRAWN OVER SAID CUTTING MEANS BUT ALLOWING SAID CUTTING MEANS TO CUT THE TAPE WHEN THE ARTICLE HAS CLEARED SAID GUARD MEANS, AND RESILIENT WIPER MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID END OF SAID PLATFORM FOR WIPING THE CUT END OF THE TAPE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ARTICLE WHEN THE ARTICLE IS MOVED DOWNWARDLY AFTER CLEARING SAID GUARD MEANS. 